Udaipur, October 25, 2026 (Daily Kiran): Hindustan Zinc Limited’s Sakhi Microenterprise initiative has recorded a 43% increase in the collective income of women associated with the programme, rising from ₹23 lakh in FY2026 to ₹32.84 lakh. The initiative currently supports 426 women by providing sustainable livelihood and self-employment opportunities.

The programme’s impact is reflected in the journey of Manju Devi, whose life changed after she joined the initiative. Following her husband’s death due to illness in 2019, she became solely responsible for raising their two children. She initially depended on seasonal agricultural work and temporary labour to support her family. Today, she operates modern processing machines under the Sakhi initiative and earns around ₹8,000 every month, becoming an example of self-reliance for women in her area.

Sakhi Microenterprise, operated through Hindustan Zinc’s Sakhi production committee, helps women turn their skills into sustainable sources of income. The initiative is expanding its product range and market reach through its brands, Dayichi and Upaya.

Sakhi Products Reach Urban Markets

Under the Dayichi brand, women produce a range of goods, including pickles, honey, spices, pulses, savoury snacks, edible oil and ghee. Upaya focuses on apparel products.

Through 14 production units operating across Rajasthan and Uttarakhand, women are manufacturing traditional products alongside crochet items, groundnut oil and millet-based products. This diversification is creating opportunities to reach new markets and increase their earnings.

A new millet production unit has been established in Dariba to create employment and encourage entrepreneurship at the local level. The unit will involve women in producing value-added food products while promoting the use of traditional and locally available grains.

The initiative is also expanding beyond local markets. Through a partnership with Le Marche, Sakhi products are now available at three stores in Delhi. Customers can also purchase the products through Blinkit, Amazon, Flipkart, ONDC and Sakhi’s own e-commerce platform, Hearts with Fingers.

This wider market access is helping women entrepreneurs reach more consumers and create additional income opportunities.

Focus on Sustainable Livelihoods

The Sakhi initiative aims to promote self-reliance by building on women’s skills, local resources and entrepreneurial capabilities. It also supports rural economic development while preserving traditional skills and encouraging the use of local resources.

Hindustan Zinc, a Vedanta Group company, runs social development programmes in education, skill development, women’s empowerment, healthcare, environmental conservation and sustainable livelihoods.

With a reach extending to more than 4,100 villages, the company says its initiatives are positively impacting over 2.6 million people. It remains committed to inclusive development in line with its Sustainability Goals 2030.